Softball escapes the slump

The Tigers came out on top in their game against the Orange Coast Pirates on March 20 to end their home game losing streak, playing only five innings, ending it with a “mercy” score of 10-0.

RCC finished off strong, scoring in every inning with four runs in the fifth inning alone.

Two days prior the Tigers ended their road-losing streak going neck and neck with the Fullerton College with a final score of 2-1.

The last game played against Fullerton ended in a 9-5 loss, however in this game the Tigers kept Fullerton to only two runs, improving from the Cerritos game showing they were ready to come out of their slump.

The Tigers’ defense started to slip at the top of the fourth inning when Fullerton scored their two runs from a home run hit by Anissa Loera.

RCC had a total of six hits, with center fielder Michelle Paul scoring the Tigers’ only point in the bottom of the fourth inning when catcher Hunter LaCroix batted her in.

This is LaCroix’s first year playing as catcher and looks to improve as the season progresses. Coach Daddona has noticed her potential.

“As she gains (experience) she’s definitely going to be someone to contend with and one of the top players for sure,” Daddona said.

Two days before, the Tigers had a 10-2 “mercy” game March 16, which was a makeup of the Feb. 23 game against Cerritos College.

The game was postponed due to rain at the Evans Sports Complex except this time with only a few clouds and 91 degree weather.

RCC’s defense kept the Falcons scoreless until Joanna Perruccio and Jenny Collazo of the Falcons scored in the third inning, making it a 2-0 game.

Cerritos stayed hot throughout the game scoring a run in the fifth inning and a staggering seven runs in the sixth inning, boosting its lead to 10-0.

The Tigers however were not calling it quits and managed to score two runs in the sixth inning thanks to Stephanie Gutierrez who singled through the left side allowing two Tiger runs.

Unfortunately that was not enough to save Riverside from the loss. Riverside’s pitcher kept a positive mind after the game.

“Winning isn’t everything but if you let it get to you then it becomes everything,” said pitcher Alexis Holman, who allowed 11 hits and nine runs in the 10-2 loss.

The losing streak began against San Joaquin Delta at the Fresno Bash Feb. 28, and is something Tiger’s head coach Michelle Daddona doesn’t want to harbor on, stating they have to show what they can do regardless of what’s on paper.

“We need to do what we need to, and now it’s just a matter of doing it,” Daddona said, “the only way to do that is to be tested in the games…we have to play every game like it’s the last.”

The Tigers are allowing about two more runs per game so far this season. Although they recently lost to Mount San Antonio and Bakersfield in the Bakersfield Tournament it isn’t holding them down as they progress to the rest of the season, as its most recent game ended in a 6-5 win over Hartnell in the tournament March 22.